Page 75 of Steadfast

“It looks beautiful out back,” Aunt Ashley said. “Everything is perfect.”

“Richie’s mom wouldn’t have it any other way,” I joked.

Richie’s parents were still awesome. I didn’t think we’d ever be close, but I had nothing to complain about.

“You should see Cian’s friend,” Aisling said, bursting into the room.

I opened my mouth to remind her that she’d met Bas plenty of times before, but she kept talking.

“He’s gorgeous. Like, model pretty. Like…Richie, butbetter.”

“High praise,” Aunt Ashley said with a laugh.

Aisling stared at Saoirse, waiting for a reaction that never came.

“Seriously, Sersh!”

“Come sit down,” Saoirse ordered. “I need to finish your hair.”

“He’sbeautiful,” Aisling said with relish as she plopped down in the chair.

“And?” Saoirse replied. “He’s also Cian’s friend and lives inOregon.”

Aisling’s mouth snapped shut in irritation.

“I’m going to go down and make sure no one takes my seat,” Aunt Ashley said with a wink.

“You’re in the front row,” I reminded her. “And there are like twenty people coming.”

“I also want to check out that friend,” she joked as she headed for the door. “I only saw the back of him.”

“Just wait,” Aisling said with relish. “It’s extreme.”

I rolled my eyes as Aunt Ashley left, laughing.

It felt like hardly any time had passed before Cian was at the bedroom door again, dressed in his tux.

“I’m not wearing that tie,” he announced, fidgeting with the open neck of his shirt. “It was strangling me.”

“You’re such a baby,” Saoirse said as she moved past him. “Beauty is pain, bro.”

“I’m fine being ugly,” Cian shot back.

“It looks better without the tie,” Aisling said with a shrug as she followed Saoirse toward the stairs.

“You ready?” Cian asked, putting his hand out for me.

“I’ve been ready,” I replied, grabbing my bouquet off the dresser.

I put my hand in his, and he tucked it into the crook of his elbow as we moved down the hallway.

“I feel like I should say something about killin’ him if he hurts you,” Cian said quietly. “But it’sRichie.”

I laughed.

“The guy’s always worshipped you,” he said, carefully leading me down the stairs. “I don’t see that changing.”

“It won’t,” I replied confidently, squeezing his bicep.

“Love you, Mam,” Cian said as we came to a stop at the back door, watching as Ronan escorted Saoirse down the aisle, Aisling trailing behind them. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks, bud,” I whispered back.

As Saoirse and Aisling walked to one side of the aisle and Ronan took his place next to Richie, my throat grew tight with emotion, and I tightened my hold on Cian’s arm.

All of my family was in one place. Happy. Safe. Celebrating.

Richie had been right. Sometimes things did work out. We were living proof of that.